Holddown for vehicles



April 7, 1931- w. H. LANNlNG 1,799,427

HOLD-DOWN FOR VEHICLES Filed May 9, 1927 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE l WILLIAM H. LANNING, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, Assrenon To WM; w. BLHKEIIY, or

, Y DETROIT', MICHIGAN l i i HoLDDoWN non VEHICLES This invention relates generally to devices for holding merchandise such as vehicles and the like against movementduring shipment, and refers more particularly to the means for anchoring such devices upon the floors of freight cars or other suitable carriers.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a device of the type describedY in which the anchorage members are perma-V nently maintained upon the leg portions of the tie members so as to be always accessible for quick attachment to the flooring of suitable carriers. Y

VAnother object is to provide a hold-down construction that comprises relatively few parts, that is strong and durable, and that can be manufactured at a comparatively lowcost. W7 ith the above and'other objects in view, the invention lconsists of certain novel features of construction, combinations Vand arrangements of parts, as will beY hereinafter more fully'des'cribed and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of bodying my'invention appliedtoa vehicle.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the holddown device.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through one of the leg portions of thetie member and associated anchorage plate Referring now to the drawing, 1"is a tie member, and`2 and 3 respectively are anchorlage plates of a hold-down device embodying my invention.v As shown, the, anchorage plates are preferably-formed of sheet metal, are flat, and are *providedv at spaced points thereof with vapertures 4 for receiving suitable 4 securing elements such as nails 5 for attaching the plates to the flooring 6`of a `freight car. The tie member 1 is preferably U shape in form and is preferably formed of heavy gage wire. Y The leg portions 7 of this tie member are preferably substantially parallel and eX- tend through the central apertures l of the anchorage plates 2 and 3 respectively. Preferablyvthe lower ends of these legs are upset as shown at 8 and 9, thereby providing'upwardly tapered portions 10 and 11 respeca device emlfrom a single In the process of construction, the anchorage plates 2 and 3 are sleeved upon the leg portions 7, and the lower ends of said leg portions are subsequently upset as shown. e

In use, the intermediate loop portion 14 of the tie` member straddles a suitablepart such as 'anv axle 15 of a vehicle, and the anchorage plates 2 and 3 respectively are rigidly secured to the flooring 6 by means of the nails Y,

5.- l/Vhen in this position the tapered portions 10 and 11 of the legs of the tie member constitute seats or bearings for the anchorage providing snug engagement between the parts when in use,A Inasmuch as the tapered portions 10 and 11v extend a short dista-nce above the heads 12 and 13, the retainer plates 2 and 3 will be spaced a short distance from the floor 6 when securedin place, thereby enabling suitable tools (not shown) to be positioned between the flooring andplates to pry the latter loose when it is desired to detach the hold-down devices from the flooring.

, l/Vhile it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature andadvantage of my invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed. f

y llVhat I claim as my invention is: n

An all metal hold-down device formed length of wire and sheet metal, the length of wire having leg portions `and a connecting portion, the leg portions terminating at their lower ends in enlarged flat' 90,

disk-like floor engaging portions and having frustro-conical portions rising from said `and that such changes may be resorted to floor engaging portions, the connecting pory tion being at the upper ends ofthe legs for engagement with a vehicle spring or axle, and the sheet metal resting on said door engaging portions and having openings receiving the frustro-conical portions aforesaid.

' In testimony whereof, I aiiX my signature.

IVILLIAM H. LAl\ll\lINGr.k

plates and fill the central apertures 4, thereby `55 

